Social Question

If you run away with the circus, what kind of performer would you be?

Make your own unique scenario. Maybe you hate clowns and the circus but no matter. Hypothetically, you still end up running away with the circus and you have to be a performer if you wish to survive. Which act do you think you could do? Which one you will really be interested in in doing, if any?

31 Answers

I used to be a gymnast so maybe some kind of tumbling or trampolining act, and heights aren’t a huge deal for me so the trapeze looks kinda fun. Maybe even some breakdancing. Maybe ask to be cross trained into fire-breathing/fire dancing.

I would have been known as ’‘Scabrielle’’, where I would inflict severe cuts on myself a few days before the performance, and then slowly rip them off and eat them in front of the public. freak shows are LIKE a circus, right?

But if I really have to be from a traditional circus, I’d probably just be some hobo stealing peanuts from the elephants. I would have run away, looking for greater paths, and better peanuts!

Being a performer, circus or otherwise, no longer holds any interest to me. Been there; done that. However, travelling with a circus group is a fascinating concept. Would it be okay to take on some other role, like scouting out locations, advertising, helping to pitch tents, selling popcorn, recycling elephant manure? These tasks would be much more pleasing.

@Kardamom I don’t like the idea of animals in circuses either. Saw a documentary about animals once, and they showed a circus elephant, who decided he was sick of this shit, and just busted off running into the streets. Of course, they killed it. :(

@Symbeline and @Kardamom I remember when I was young, we went to see a Russian circus that was traveling and the only animal was one bear. The bear seemed so joyful! Like he enjoyed his tricks and the troupers all were giving him hugs and high-fives like he was doing his job like the rest of them.

It just felt like the opposite of cruelty. The bear liked them; they liked the bear.

@Blueroses that poor bear was trained to look like it enjoyed waving and giving high fives. But bears are wild animals, not domesticated pets. Can you imagine being held captive and made to “work” for your food? The bear didn’t have any choice. Bears belong in the forest, not under spotlights in front of cheering humans, and not being transported by train or bus across the countryside, never seeing the great outdoors or having a chance to be a bear. Bears and other “circus” animals have a nature, and that nature is not to be turned into a spectacle for human entertainment.

I’d ride an elephant. I’m wearing tights and a tutu, both pink, with spangles. I can feel his tough hide beneath me and the motion of his walking. The music playing is a march. His ears are flapping. I slide down and get him to stand. I give him a treat. We like each other.

If it were still acceptable for animals to be used in the circus (I’m not saying I agree with animals being used for the circus by the way) I would be a horse trainer and doing cool tricks whilst riding horses around the ring as I enjoy working with animals and feel it is where my talents lie. In my dreams I would be one of those performers that tie themselves up in the silk sheets hanging from the roof and spin around in the air and stuff (not sure what they are called).